Package

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a package which includes a separately utilizable container having a product therein to be dispensed and wherein a removable and replaceable cover is placed on the container to close the same until the contents thereof have been dispensed. The package is completed by a wrap-around jacket which interlocks with both the container and the cover and which firmly retains the cover in place against tampering whereby the package may be readily displayed on shelves for sale. Another feature of the package is that no product identification must be applied to the container in that such product identification may be readily applied to the jacket. A further feature is that the jacket prevents any undesirable accumulation of dust on the cover.

United States Patent [1 1 Rossi Nov. 20, 1973 PACKAGE [75] Inventor: Harry J. Rossi, Parsippany, NJ.

[22] Filed: Feb. 5, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 112,877

[52] US. Cl 206/46 R, 206/45.14, 206/DIG. 9, 206/DIG. 29, 229/40, 220/94 A [51] Int. Cl..... B65d 85/54, B65d 5/02, B65d 65/06 [58] Field of Search 206/46 R, 44 R, 45.14, 206/DIG. 29, DIG. 9; 229/40; 40/21 R, 306,

3,307,602 3/1967 Boster 220/60 R 3,269,588 8/1966 Ruekberg 220/60 R 3,029,935 4/1962 Nolte 206/65 C X 1,987,902 l/ 1935 Hofe 40/307 2,722,365 11/1955 Phipps 206/65 C X Primary Examiner-Leonard Summer Att0rneyDiller, Brown, Ramik & Holt [57] ABSTRACT This disclosure relates to a package which includes a separately utilizable container having a product therein to be dispensed and wherein a removable and replaceable cover is placed on the container to close the same until the contents thereof have been dispensed. The package is completed by a wraparound jacket which interlocks with both the container and the cover and which firmly retains the cover in place against tampering whereby the package may be readily displayed on shelves for sale. Another feature of the package is that no product identification must be applied to the container in that such product identification may be readily applied to the jacket. A further feature is that the jacket prevents any undesirable accumulation of dust on the cover.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDRUVZO ms 3.773.170

INVENTOR HQRRY J RUSS PACKAGE This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in container packages, and more particularly to a container package wherein the container is particularly constructed to have utility after the original product has been dispensed therefrom and wherein until the product has been dispensed, the container is provided with a removable cover, and, further, the cover is retained in place during shipment and sale by a wrap-around jacket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known to place a dispensible product within a suitable container and to apply a cover or closure for such container. Furthermore, several such containers and covers may be wrapped in a package by means of a wraparound jacket with the containers being interlocked with the jacket so as to resist the removal thereof. These packages have certain disadvantages and certain oversights. For example, the interlock between the containers and the jacket are such that a container may be pulled out of the jacket without too much difficulty. This permits tampering with the product within the container.

Another disadvantage of present-day containers is that once the product has been dispensed therefrom, the containers are merely throw-away aritcles although from time to time certain of the containers may be retained for storage purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, it is proposed to provide an inexpensive container which, after the product has been dispensed therefrom, has a secondary use other than merely for storage. For example, if the container is of a suitable size and is to be formed of plastic, it may have integrally molded therewith, or otherwise secured thereto, a handle and the container can actually be in the form of a measuring cup.

It order to retain the attractiveness of the container for its secondary purpose, it is, of course, not desirable to unduly mark up the container so that it will not be pleasing for continued use.

It is also desirable that the container may be made relatively tamper-proof. However, in order that the container may be readily opened without being damaged, and at the same time suitably recloseable so that the product may be dispensed therefrom from time to time, it is desirable that the container be provided with a removable closure such as a snap-on flexible plastic closure.

While the desired indicia may be applied to the closure, in order to prevent the product from being tampered with prior to the utilization thereof by the buyer, the container and closure are encased with a wraparound jacket to form a unitary package. The jacket retains the cover in place until the jacket is opened.

In addition to functioning to retain the closure in place, the jacket has further utilization. First of all, all identifying indicia may be left off of both the container and closure and applied to the jacket, which decoration can be accomplished at a minimum of cost. Secondly, the jacket, when properly conflgurated, may complete overlie the closure and in this manner prevent dust or other foreign matter from accumulating on the closure. This is particularly true when the closure is of a conventional type having an upstanding peripheral reinforcing rib which permits dust to collect on the upper surface of the container during shipment and display.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the package formed in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the package.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a plan view on a reduced scale of the blank from which the wrap-around jacket is formed.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that in accordance with this invention there is provided a special package which is generally identified by the numeral 10. The package 10 is formed of a container, generally identified by the numeral 11, a removable and replaceable closure, generally identified by the numeral l2, and a wraparound jacket, generally indicated by the numeral 14.

In accordance with this invention, it is desired that the container 11 be of a special construction so as to have a function other than that of merely a container. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the container 11 is in the form ofa measuring cup. However, it will be readily apparent that the invention is not so limited.

The illustrated container or measuring cup 11 includes an upwardly flaring body 15 which is closed at the bottom end thereof by means of a bottom wall 16. In order to facilitate both the replaceable securement of the closure 12 in place and also the pouring of the liquid from the container 11, the body 15 terminates at its upper end in a radially projecting peripheral lip 17 I which also functions as a pouring lip. Further, the container or measuring cup 11 is provided with a suitable handle 18 which includes an attaching portion 20 which is preferably integrally molded with the body 15, but, if necessary may be suitably secured thereto, such as by bonding or other type of securing means.

In order that the container 11 may properly function as a measuring cup, the body 15 is configurated diam etrically remote from the handle 18 so as to define a pouring spout 21. Also, the body 15 is provided on at least one area thereof with suitable indica 22 indicating the volume of product disposed within the measuring cup I1.

At this time it is pointed out that it is preferable that the only indicia carried by the measuring cup 11 be the indica 22. While it is normally desirable to provide containers with product identifying indicia, it will be readily apparent that the provision of product identifying indicia on the measuring cup 11 will detract from its utilization.

Referring now to FIG. 4 in particular, it will be seen that the closure 12 includes a top wall 23 which is illustrated as having a recessed central portion 24. The periphery of the wall 23 is defined by a depending skirt 25 which is configurated to receive and interlock with the flange 17. In the preferred embodiment thereof, the closure 12 is also provided with an upstanding annular rib 26 on the upper surface thereof generally in overlying relation with respect to the flange 17. The rib 26 functions as a reinforcing rib.

It will be readily apparent that the recessed portion 24 of the top wall 23, as well as the rib 26 serve to undesirably function as a collector for dust and other foreign matter. Therefore, not only is it desirable to retain the closure in place during shipment and display so as to make the product tamper proof, but also to prevent the accumulation of dust on the closure. it is for this purpose that the wrap-around jacket 14 is provided.

Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the wraparound jacket 14 is formed from a flat blank which is generally identified by the numeral 27. The blank 27 includes a central portion 28 which corresponds in shape and size to the outline of the closure 12. The central portion or panel 28 is adapted to overlie the closure 12 and to be fully seated on the upstanding rib 26 thereof so as to form a seal therewith.

The central panel 28 is provided with diametrically oppositely extending connecting portions 30 to which straps 31 are connected along fold lines 32 extending generally transversely of the straps 31,

Each strap 31 has connected to the opposite end thereof along an interrupted fold line 33 a downwardly and inwardly sloping intermediate panel 34. One of the panels 34 has connected thereto along an interrupted fold line 35 a closure panel 36. The other of the panels 34 has connected thereto along an interrupted transverse fold line 37 a further closure panel 38 which cooperates with the closure panel 36 to form the bottom of the jacket 14.

The closure panels 36 and 38 are releaseably interlocked with one another in a conventional manner including an opening 40 formed in the closure panel 36 and defining a transversely extending locking edge 41. Remote from the locking edge 41 and partially defined by slits 42 is a second locking edge 43.

The closure panel 38 has hingedly connected thereto along an interrupted fold line 44 a locking panel 45. Fold line 44 is interrupted by a generally C-shaped cut 46 formed in the closure panel 38 and defining a primary locking flap 4'! which is receivable in the opening 40 and is engageable behind the locking edge 41 in the manner shown in F104.

The locking panel 45 is also provided with a terminal locking tab 48 which is preferably connected thereto along a hinge line 50. The locking tab 48 is engageable within the slits 42 and is engageable with the locking edge 43 to form as a secondary locking tab or flap as is shown in FIG. 4.

In order to make certain that the package cannot be opened without the removal of the wrap-around jacket 14 and also to make certain that the wraparound jacket 14 cannot be removed without disengaging the closure panels 36 and 38, suitable cutouts 51 are formed partially within the connecting portions 30 and partially within the straps 31, the opening or cutouts 5] each having a portion thereof defining a part of the outline of the central panel 28 and interrupting the respective fold line 32.

in order to further facilitate the interlocking of the wrap-around jacket 14 with the container 12, suitable cutouts 52 are formed in the panels 34 with the cutouts 52 extending into the respective closure panels 36 and 38 and interrupting the respective fold lines 35 and 37. [t is also to be noted that the cutouts at the ends thereof opposing the straps 31, are provided with slits 53 which extend to the straps 31 and permit the hinging of the panels 34 relative to the straps 31 without the fold lines 33 extending entirely across these straps 31.

In the formation of the package, the container 11 is filled in the normal manner, after which the closure or cover 12 is applied. Thereafter, the wrap-around jacket 14 is applied to the closed container.

It will be readily apparent that the wrap-around jacket 14 is firmly interlocked with the closed container. The cutouts 51 provide suitable clearance for the skirt portion 25 of the closure 12 and the panels 34 extend diagonally along the bottom portion of the container 11 with portions of the container 11 projecting out through the cutouts 52, as is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

it will be readily apparent that the interlock between the closure panels 36 and 38 is such that the closure panels are not readily separated so as to permit the opening of the jacket 14, tampering with the product, and then reclosing the jacket 14. In other words, it would be rare, if ever, that one would tamper with the jacket 14 and then replace the same.

As is shown in FIG. 1, suitable indicia may be applied to the jacket 14 so as to identify the product and the use thereof. Accordingly, no decoration is required for the container 11, and if desired, none need be applied to the closure although the same may be so applied.

Although only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the configuration and intended final use of the container 11 may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new:

1. A package comprising a single filled container in cluding a body terminating at an open end in an outwardly radially directed peripheral lip, a readily removable and replaceable cover closing said body open end and being interlocked with said lip, said cover having an upstanding generally peripheral bead substantially aligned with said lip, and a wrap-around jacket encircling said container and preventing the loosening of said cover, saidjacket having a top panel seated on said peripheral bead and thereby retaining said cover in place on said container, and said jacket being interlocked with said container in a manner preventing removal of said jacket without opening said jacket, said jacket including a pair of straps of a transverse dimension less than the transverse dimension of said top panel extending downwardly from said top panel in dimetrically opposite relation, said straps having container receiving notches therein adjacent said top panel, and said straps terminating in downwardly and inwardly sloping intermediate panels connected to closure panels of greater transverse dimension than said straps, said closure panels having interlocking tabs and slits, said intermediate panels having container receiving notches, and said container having a projecting handle disposed intermediate said straps.

a a a a 

1. A package comprising a single filled container including a body terminating at an open end in an outwardly radially directed peripheral lip, a readily removable and replaceable cover closing said body open end and being interlocked with said lip, said cover having an upstanding generally peripheral bead substantially aligned with said lip, and a wrap-around jacket encircling said container and preventing the loosening of said cover, said jacket having a top panel seated on said peripheral bead and thereby retaining said cover in place on said container, and said jacket being interlocked with said container in a manner preventing removal of said jacket without opening said jacket, said jacket including a pair of straps of a transverse dimension less than the transverse dimension of said top panel extending downwardly from said top panel in dimetrically opposite relation, said straps having container receiving notches therein adjacent said top panel, and said straps terminating in downwardly and inwardly sloping intermediate panels connected to closure panels of greater transverse dimension than said straps, said closure panels having interlocking tabs and slits, said intermediate panels having container receiving notches, and said container having a projecting handle disposed intermediate said straps. 